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I am reading a best-selling book by John Maxwell entitled “Failing Forward.” It help me free myself from the devastating habit of blaming myself for humiliating past mistakes I have done. Mistakes can actually help us move forward if we know how to exploit it for our good, otherwise it can get ourselves stuck. In fact we will never grow if we never make mistakes. A little kid learning to walk will fall several times before he finally makes it. Likewise, we learn from our fall in order to master the skill we want to achieve. This book teaches us how to exploit our  mistakes for our benefit. So, next time we make mistake make sure we know the right thing how to respond and learn from it.

John Maxwell aptly created an acronym of the word MISTAKES to hel us keep mistakes in perspective.

Mistakes are……………

M-essages that give us feedback about life.

I-nterruptions that should cause us to reflect and think.

S-ignposts that direct us to the right path.

T-ests that push us toward greater maturity.

A-wakenings that keep us in the game mentally.

K-eys that we can use to unlock the next door of opportunity.

E-xplorations that let us journey where we have never been before.

S-tatements about our development and progress.

The Story of Life

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be, your neighbor, your coworker, a long lost friend, or a complete stranger. When you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become.

Even the bad experience can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant (touching/moving) and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

Most importantly if you love someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live. That’s the story of life.

This year the Lebaran Holiday (The end of the fasting month of Ramadhan) falls on September 10 to 11. This is the time when relatives from far away places return home to share the moment of togetherness and exchange news. My uncle from Surabaya came to my house with four- year -old son, Ivan. Ivan is an active and curious boy. He spent a lot of time with my niece Caca, playing water in our new fish pond. Caca was very happy during this moment since she had a friend to play with. Since we built the fish pond many little boys and girls in my village have been fascinated to play there. We haven't fill the pond with fish yet.

On September 13 my family went picnic to Depok beach in Bantul Regency. We went there by car. My younger brother, Miming, was driving the car. We went there to celebrate Caca's 6th birthday. She had anticipated this day with great eagerness. She loves going to the beach. The journey to the beach was so exciting. Our talk was much focused on the recent trouble in our church. There was a bitter conflict between our newly appointed priest with the chuch council. The church  council had summoned him to give account of misconduct. He refused to come and the council removed him from his position.

Back to the topic of our journey, it took us around 45 minutes to reach Depok beach. The parking lot was so crowded that we had to park our car somewhere rather far away from the parking lot. We walked to the fish market to order some fish. Then, we had a cafe called Diva cook them for us. My mother also bought some oranges. While awaiting for our fish being drilled and fried, we went to the shore. Caca couldn't wait to play on the beach, feeling the fresh sweep of the waves. At first, she was afraid to touch the water, but seeing that the waves was only knee deep she was willing to get closer to the water. My mother and father watched Miming, Caca and I found great delight any time the waves splashed our feet. We bursted into laughter many times. I recorded the whole event with a handycam. All the visitors to the beach seemed so happy to relax and have fun. Some of them were playing colorful kites.

It was drizzling, so we decided to take a bath, change cloth and return to Diva Cafe. After finished washing ourselves, we sat on the mat spread on the cafe. We ordered some coconut juice. It tasted so refeshing. The baked and grilled fish was so delicious. My bother and Caca prayed for the meal and another year God has added into her life. We felt satisfied with the meal. After paid for the meal, we return home. The journey back home was no less exciting than the journey to the beach. When we arrived home, we found out that it had been raining hard. the rambutan tree in front of our house was blocking the street. We cut the leaning branches with saws. Then we took a bath before relaxing at home. Overall, this Lebaran holiday was so fantastic.